SKY-WATCHER ESPRIT 80ED FIRST LIGHT

The weather this winter has been awful. However, I managed a first test with my new Sky-Watcher Esprit 80ED (80mm f/5) triplet refractor telescope on Monday 17th of February. Very satisfied with the ease of use and sharp picture quality, at least compared to my vintage Meade 2080 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope. Not so satisfied with the quality of the stars. The six diffraction spikes from each star suggested pinched optics. After this first test I have loosened he tight lens construction of the telescope and a brief test suggests much improvement in the photographic quality of the stars. Waiting for the next clear night to show the results. In the meantime, this first light image have to suffice (quite OK, particularly considering the city arena lights being switched on fully below the object and a rising moon…)